TOPEKA – Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt Friday made it clear where he stands on the new vaccine mandates President Biden announced Thursday.

“No president has the legal authority to decree a national vaccine mandate or to punish private businesses that refuse to discriminate against employees based on their health status, " Schmidt said in a statement from his office.

"President Biden scolded ‘this is not about freedom,’ but the rule of law most certainly is. If the president's overreaching rhetoric becomes federal action, then rest assured we will vigorously challenge it."

“To be clear, I continue to support Kansans choosing to be vaccinated, as I have. But this important health-care decision is reserved for individual Americans not entrusted to the president and federal bureaucrats.”

TOPEKA – Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt Friday made it clear where he stands on the new vaccine mandates President Biden announced Thursday. “No president has the legal authority to decree a national vaccine mandate or to punish private businesses that refuse to discriminate against employees based on their health status, " Schmidt said in a statement from his office."President Biden scolded ‘this is not about freedom,’ but the rule of law most certainly is. If the president's overreaching rhetoric becomes federal action, then rest assured we will vigorously challenge it." “To be clear, I continue to support Kansans choosing to be vaccinated, as I have. But this important health-care decision is reserved for individual Americans not entrusted to the president and federal bureaucrats.”

 Kan. AG sets stage for legal challenge of Biden vaxx mandates

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases* (see below) in Kansas increased by 4,302 to a total of 387, 152 the state health department reported Friday afternoon.&nbsp;

The state reported 73 new COVID-19 deaths for a total of 5,766.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a> about the COVID-19 vaccine.

<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional virus numbers from the KDHE.

As of August 1, 2021, in accordance with an&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">updated CDC/CSTE surveillance case definition</a>, a confirmed case is defined as a person who tested positive by molecular detection (e.g., PCR, NAA) or identification of SARS-CoV-2 through genetic sequencing. A probable case is defined as a person with: a) presumptive lab evidence (antigen) or b) no lab testing but meeting clinical case criteria and is epi-linked. A person will be counted as a new surveillance case (e.g. reinfection) if they test positive for SARS-CoV-2 by a diagnostic test (i.e., molecular, antigen) and it has been greater than 90 days since the previous positive diagnostic test. In addition, a person with sequencing results identifying different SARS-CoV-2 lineages regardless of the time since the previous specimen sequenced will be counted as a new surveillance case.&nbsp;

Cases occurring between&nbsp;September 1, 2020&nbsp;and July 29, 2021 were classified by&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">previous CDC/CSTE case definition,&nbsp;</a>and cases prior to September 1, 2020 were classified by the&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/case-definitions/coronavirus-disease-2019-2020/" target="_blank">original case definition</a>.

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases* (see below) in Kansas increased by 4,302 to a total of 387, 152 the state health department reported Friday afternoon.&nbsp;The state reported 73 new COVID-19 deaths for a total of 5,766.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631294254547.png" alt="Friday Sept. 10, 2021 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Friday Sept. 10, 2021 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a> about the COVID-19 vaccine.<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional virus numbers from the KDHE.As of August 1, 2021, in accordance with an&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">updated CDC/CSTE surveillance case definition</a>, a confirmed case is defined as a person who tested positive by molecular detection (e.g., PCR, NAA) or identification of SARS-CoV-2 through genetic sequencing. A probable case is defined as a person with: a) presumptive lab evidence (antigen) or b) no lab testing but meeting clinical case criteria and is epi-linked. A person will be counted as a new surveillance case (e.g. reinfection) if they test positive for SARS-CoV-2 by a diagnostic test (i.e., molecular, antigen) and it has been greater than 90 days since the previous positive diagnostic test. In addition, a person with sequencing results identifying different SARS-CoV-2 lineages regardless of the time since the previous specimen sequenced will be counted as a new surveillance case.&nbsp;Cases occurring between&nbsp;September 1, 2020&nbsp;and July 29, 2021 were classified by&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">previous CDC/CSTE case definition,&nbsp;</a>and cases prior to September 1, 2020 were classified by the&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/case-definitions/coronavirus-disease-2019-2020/" target="_blank">original case definition</a>.

KDHE: 4,300 new cases, 73 more COVID deaths

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating an attack by an inmate brandishing a metal shank on detention deputies at the Sedgwick County Jail. The inmate identified as 56-year-old James E. Brown has been in custody since March for a violent sword attack.

Just before 10:30p.m. Wednesday, two corporals and a deputy were escorting Brown to his cell when he produced a metal shank and swung it at the deputy, according to Lt. Benjamin Blick.

A struggle ensued between the deputies and Brown in an effort to control the metal shank and end the assault. Once Brown was restrained, he was evaluated by clinic staff and transported to the hospital for treatment. 

Brown was later returned to the Detention Facility. Two of the deputies involved sustained injuries to their hands, according to Blick.

Police arrested Brown in March for Aggravated Domestic Battery, Aggravated Battery and Cruelty to Animals involving his use of a sword attack on his girlfriend and her dog.&nbsp; He now faces a requested charge of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree following the attack on jail deputies.

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a violent, domestic attack arrested 41-year-old James E. Brown of Wichita early Wednesday, according to officer Charley Davidson.

Police arrested him on charges stemming from an aggravated battery – domestic violence and animal cruelty investigation and a second aggravated battery – domestic violence strangulation investigation, according to officer Charley Davidson. Brown also has an outstanding warrant.

Just after 2 a.m. Tuesday, police responded to a home in the 1500 block of North New York in Wichita, according to Davidson.

 Upon arrival, they contacted a 41-year-old woman who had a severe laceration to her hand and back.&nbsp; She was taken to an area hospital for treatment of severe injuries and remains hospitalized.

The investigation revealed the victim and her boyfriend identified as Brown, were at the home and got into a verbal disturbance.&nbsp; Brown grabbed a five to six-foot sword during the disturbance, struck her multiple times, and stabbed her dog multiple times.&nbsp; Investigators also learned the victim had been strangled.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631279622169.png" alt="Brown photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Brown photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating an attack by an inmate brandishing a metal shank on detention deputies at the Sedgwick County Jail. The inmate identified as 56-year-old James E. Brown has been in custody since March for a violent sword attack.Just before 10:30p.m. Wednesday, two corporals and a deputy were escorting Brown to his cell when he produced a metal shank and swung it at the deputy, according to Lt. Benjamin Blick.A struggle ensued between the deputies and Brown in an effort to control the metal shank and end the assault. Once Brown was restrained, he was evaluated by clinic staff and transported to the hospital for treatment. Brown was later returned to the Detention Facility. Two of the deputies involved sustained injuries to their hands, according to Blick.Police arrested Brown in March for Aggravated Domestic Battery, Aggravated Battery and Cruelty to Animals involving his use of a sword attack on his girlfriend and her dog.&nbsp; He now faces a requested charge of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree following the attack on jail deputies.-----------SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a violent, domestic attack arrested 41-year-old James E. Brown of Wichita early Wednesday, according to officer Charley Davidson.Police arrested him on charges stemming from an aggravated battery – domestic violence and animal cruelty investigation and a second aggravated battery – domestic violence strangulation investigation, according to officer Charley Davidson. Brown also has an outstanding warrant.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614728617214.png" alt="Brown photo Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Brown photo Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>Just after 2 a.m. Tuesday, police responded to a home in the 1500 block of North New York in Wichita, according to Davidson. Upon arrival, they contacted a 41-year-old woman who had a severe laceration to her hand and back.&nbsp; She was taken to an area hospital for treatment of severe injuries and remains hospitalized.The investigation revealed the victim and her boyfriend identified as Brown, were at the home and got into a verbal disturbance.&nbsp; Brown grabbed a five to six-foot sword during the disturbance, struck her multiple times, and stabbed her dog multiple times.&nbsp; Investigators also learned the victim had been strangled.

Kan. inmate in sword attack accused of attack on jail deputies

WASHINGTON
 — The Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers today that the cost of
 home testing for COVID-19 is an eligible medical expense that can be 
paid or reimbursed under health flexible spending arrangements (health 
FSAs), health savings accounts (HSAs), health reimbursement arrangements, or Archer medical savings accounts (Archer MSAs). That is 
because the cost to diagnose COVID-19 is an eligible medical expense for
 tax purposes.

The IRS also reminds taxpayers that the costs of personal protective 
equipment, such as masks, hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes, for the 
primary purpose of preventing the spread of COVID-19 are eligible 
medical expenses that can be paid or reimbursed under health FSAs, HSAs,
 HRAs, or Archer MSAs. Additional <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/face-masks-and-other-personal-protective-equipment-to-prevent-the-spread-of-covid-19-are-tax-deductible">information</a> is available on IRS.gov.

For more <a href="https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc502">information</a> regarding details and requirements on deductibility of medical expenses, taxpayers can review <a href="https://www.irs.gov/help/ita/can-i-deduct-my-medical-and-dental-expenses">Can I Deduct My Medical and Dental Expenses?</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/publications/p502">Publication 502, Medical and Dental Expenses</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON
 — The Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers today that the cost of
 home testing for COVID-19 is an eligible medical expense that can be 
paid or reimbursed under health flexible spending arrangements (health 
FSAs), health savings accounts (HSAs), health reimbursement arrangements, or Archer medical savings accounts (Archer MSAs). That is 
because the cost to diagnose COVID-19 is an eligible medical expense for
 tax purposes.The IRS also reminds taxpayers that the costs of personal protective 
equipment, such as masks, hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes, for the 
primary purpose of preventing the spread of COVID-19 are eligible 
medical expenses that can be paid or reimbursed under health FSAs, HSAs,
 HRAs, or Archer MSAs. Additional <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/face-masks-and-other-personal-protective-equipment-to-prevent-the-spread-of-covid-19-are-tax-deductible">information</a> is available on IRS.gov.For more <a href="https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc502">information</a> regarding details and requirements on deductibility of medical expenses, taxpayers can review <a href="https://www.irs.gov/help/ita/can-i-deduct-my-medical-and-dental-expenses">Can I Deduct My Medical and Dental Expenses?</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/publications/p502">Publication 502, Medical and Dental Expenses</a>.

IRS: Cost of home testing for COVID is eligible medical expense

By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/ku-chancellor-denounces-student-body-presidents-twitter-commentary/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — The chancellor of the University of Kansas and the 
chairwoman of the Kansas Board of Regents on Thursday rejected the KU 
student body president’s “death to America” social media post while 
defending her constitutional right to free expression.

Student body President Niva McAdoo retweeted Sept. 3 on her account the text “happy Friday everybody. Death to America.”

In other posts, she indicated the reference to “death to America” was
 associated with the historical development of the United States through
 a campaign of genocide against indigenous people and by enforcing the 
institution of Black slavery.

KU chancellor Doug Girod said in a statement McAdoo’s post was 
“disappointing and concerning.” He said he understood why many people 
found her commentary offensive.

“The opinions in the student’s post are protected by the First 
Amendment,” Girod said. “In addition, KU is committed to its role as a 
marketplace of ideas, including ideas that some individuals find 
offensive.”

“I strongly disagree with the sentiment of her retweet,” the 
chancellor said, “and I want to make clear that she does not speak for 
the university on this or any other matter.”

Cheryl Harrison-Lee, chairwoman of the state Board of Regents, said 
the sentiment shared by McAdoo didn’t align with the higher education 
board’s beliefs. It didn’t reflect the type of dialogue encouraged on 
the state’s six public university campuses, she said.

She said the Board of Regents would defend constitutional rights of 
students even when “we vigorously disagree” with views expressed by the 
speaker. Earlier this year, board members signed a statement affirming 
that a desire for civility and respect couldn’t be used as leverage to 
silence expression.

“U.S. citizens strive daily to make a more perfect union. Often times
 we fall short,” Harrison-Lee said. “Nonetheless, we are proud to be 
Americans and despite its imperfections we are proud to call America 
home.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631282399275.png" alt="The University of Kansas chancellor and the Kansas Board of Regents chairwoman denounced content of the KU student body president’s social media posts while defending her constitutional right to expression. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>The University of Kansas chancellor and the Kansas Board of Regents chairwoman denounced content of the KU student body president’s social media posts while defending her constitutional right to expression. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/ku-chancellor-denounces-student-body-presidents-twitter-commentary/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — The chancellor of the University of Kansas and the 
chairwoman of the Kansas Board of Regents on Thursday rejected the KU 
student body president’s “death to America” social media post while 
defending her constitutional right to free expression.Student body President Niva McAdoo retweeted Sept. 3 on her account the text “happy Friday everybody. Death to America.”In other posts, she indicated the reference to “death to America” was
 associated with the historical development of the United States through
 a campaign of genocide against indigenous people and by enforcing the 
institution of Black slavery.KU chancellor Doug Girod said in a statement McAdoo’s post was 
“disappointing and concerning.” He said he understood why many people 
found her commentary offensive.“The opinions in the student’s post are protected by the First 
Amendment,” Girod said. “In addition, KU is committed to its role as a 
marketplace of ideas, including ideas that some individuals find 
offensive.”“I strongly disagree with the sentiment of her retweet,” the 
chancellor said, “and I want to make clear that she does not speak for 
the university on this or any other matter.”Cheryl Harrison-Lee, chairwoman of the state Board of Regents, said 
the sentiment shared by McAdoo didn’t align with the higher education 
board’s beliefs. It didn’t reflect the type of dialogue encouraged on 
the state’s six public university campuses, she said.She said the Board of Regents would defend constitutional rights of 
students even when “we vigorously disagree” with views expressed by the 
speaker. Earlier this year, board members signed a statement affirming 
that a desire for civility and respect couldn’t be used as leverage to 
silence expression.“U.S. citizens strive daily to make a more perfect union. Often times
 we fall short,” Harrison-Lee said. “Nonetheless, we are proud to be 
Americans and despite its imperfections we are proud to call America 
home.”

KU chancellor denounces student body president’s 'death to America' commentary

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities&nbsp; investigating a fatal drive-by shooting have made an arrest.

Just after 12a.m. Friday, police <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20064105">booked 21-year-old Jesus Antonio Manzano-Legarda</a> into the Sedgwick County Jail on requested charges first degree murder in connection with the&nbsp; fatal shooting of 23-year-old Jacquez Carter of Wichita.

Just after 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, police responded to an injury accident at Harry and Washington regarding a vehicle that hit a pole, according to Office Trevor Macy.

Upon arrival, officers located a white Chevy Monte Carlo that was wrecked and occupied by Carter who had been shot.

First responders removed Carter from the vehicle, performed life-saving measures were but he was pronounced deceased on the scene.

Investigators learned Carter was driving eastbound on Harry Street stopped at Topeka Street in the inside lane at the red light. While stopped, a white SUV pulled into the oncoming lanes beside Carter and a passenger believed to be&nbsp;Manzano-Legarda fired multiple times at Carter, striking him and his vehicle.

The white SUV then fled the scene. Carter began driving eastbound on Harry and lost control of the vehicle at Harry and Meade, struck a light pole and a utility pole at Harry and Washington.

This is not believed to be a random incident, according to Macy. No bond has been set for&nbsp;Manzano-Legarda, according to <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20064105">online booking</a> records early Friday.

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that fatally injured 23-year-old Jacquez Carter of Wichita.

Investigators learned Carter was driving eastbound on Harry Street stopped at Topeka Street in the inside lane at the red light. While stopped, a white SUV pulled into the oncoming lanes beside Carter and a passenger fired multiple times at Carter, striking him and his vehicle.

This is not believed to be a random incident, according to Macy. Police have not identified a suspect.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631276457685.png" alt="MANZANO-LEGARDA-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>MANZANO-LEGARDA-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities&nbsp; investigating a fatal drive-by shooting have made an arrest.Just after 12a.m. Friday, police <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20064105">booked 21-year-old Jesus Antonio Manzano-Legarda</a> into the Sedgwick County Jail on requested charges first degree murder in connection with the&nbsp; fatal shooting of 23-year-old Jacquez Carter of Wichita.Just after 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, police responded to an injury accident at Harry and Washington regarding a vehicle that hit a pole, according to Office Trevor Macy.Upon arrival, officers located a white Chevy Monte Carlo that was wrecked and occupied by Carter who had been shot.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631150186772.png" alt="Police at the scene of the fatal shooting investigation-photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police at the scene of the fatal shooting investigation-photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>First responders removed Carter from the vehicle, performed life-saving measures were but he was pronounced deceased on the scene.Investigators learned Carter was driving eastbound on Harry Street stopped at Topeka Street in the inside lane at the red light. While stopped, a white SUV pulled into the oncoming lanes beside Carter and a passenger believed to be&nbsp;Manzano-Legarda fired multiple times at Carter, striking him and his vehicle.The white SUV then fled the scene. Carter began driving eastbound on Harry and lost control of the vehicle at Harry and Meade, struck a light pole and a utility pole at Harry and Washington.This is not believed to be a random incident, according to Macy. No bond has been set for&nbsp;Manzano-Legarda, according to <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20064105">online booking</a> records early Friday.----------SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that fatally injured 23-year-old Jacquez Carter of Wichita.Just after 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, police responded to an injury accident at Harry and Washington regarding a vehicle that hit a pole, according to Office Trevor Macy.Upon arrival, officers located a white Chevy Monte Carlo that was wrecked and occupied by Carter who had been shot.First responders removed Carter from the vehicle, performed life-saving measures were but he was pronounced deceased on the scene.Investigators learned Carter was driving eastbound on Harry Street stopped at Topeka Street in the inside lane at the red light. While stopped, a white SUV pulled into the oncoming lanes beside Carter and a passenger fired multiple times at Carter, striking him and his vehicle.The white SUV then fled the scene. Carter began driving eastbound on Harry and lost control of the vehicle at Harry and Meade, struck a light pole and a utility pole at Harry and Washington.This is not believed to be a random incident, according to Macy. Police have not identified a suspect.

Arrest made: Kan. man killed from gunfire in passing SUV

WASHINGTON (AP) — In his most forceful pandemic actions and words, President Joe Biden on Thursday ordered sweeping new federal vaccine requirements for as many as 100 million Americans in an all-out effort to increase COVID-19 vaccinations and curb the surging delta variant.

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?514532-1/president-biden-expresses-frustration-pandemic-politics-mandates-vaccines-federal-workers">Click here to watch</a> a replay of the President's comments

Speaking at the White House, Biden sharply criticized the tens of millions of Americans who are not yet vaccinated, despite months of availability and incentives.

“We’ve been patient. But our patience is wearing thin, and your refusal has cost all of us,” he said, all but biting off his words. The unvaccinated minority “can cause a lot of damage, and they are.”

Republican leaders — and some union chiefs, too — said Biden was going too far in trying to muscle private companies and workers, a certain sign of legal challenges to come.

Gov. Henry McMaster of South Carolina said in a statement that “Biden and the radical Democrats (have) thumbed their noses at the Constitution,” while American Federation of Government Employees National President Everett Kelley insisted that “changes like this should be negotiated with our bargaining units where appropriate.”

On the other hand, there were strong words of praise for Biden’s efforts to get the nation vaccinated from the American Medical Association, the National Association of Manufacturers and the Business Roundtable — though no direct mention of his mandate for private companies.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-health-coronavirus-pandemic-26bace6485d88ad1ae3ef2aea60fbb65">The expansive rules</a>&nbsp;mandate that all employers with more than 100 workers require them to be vaccinated or test for the virus weekly, affecting about 80 million Americans. And the roughly 17 million workers at health facilities that receive federal Medicare or Medicaid also will have to be fully vaccinated.

Biden is also requiring vaccination for employees of the executive branch and contractors who do business with the federal government — with no option to test out. That covers several million more workers.

Biden announced the new requirements in a Thursday afternoon address from the White House as part of a new “action plan” to address the latest rise in coronavirus cases and the stagnating pace of COVID-19 shots.

Just two months ago Biden prematurely declared the nation’s “independence” from the virus. Now, despite more than 208 million Americans having at least one dose of the vaccines, the U.S. is seeing about 300% more new COVID-19 infections a day, about two-and-a-half times more hospitalizations, and nearly twice the number of deaths compared to the same time last year. Some 80 million people remain unvaccinated.

“We are in the tough stretch and it could last for a while,” Biden said.

After months of using promotions to drive the vaccination rate, Biden is taking a much firmer hand, as he blames people who have not yet received shots for the sharp rise in cases killing more than 1,000 people per day and imperiling a fragile economic rebound.

In addition to the vaccination requirements, Biden moved to double federal fines for airline passengers who refuse to wear masks on flights or to maintain face covering requirements on federal property in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.

He announced that the government will work to increase the supply of virus tests, and that the White House has secured concessions from retailers including Walmart, Amazon, and Kroger to sell at-home testing kits at cost beginning this week.

The administration is also sending additional federal support to assist schools in safely operating, including additional funding for testing. And Biden called for large entertainment venues and arenas to require vaccinations or proof of a negative test for entry.

The requirement for large companies to mandate vaccinations or weekly testing for employees will be enacted through a forthcoming rule from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration that carries penalties of $14,000 per violation, an administration official said.

The rule will require that large companies provide paid time off for vaccination.

Meanwhile, the Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services will extend a vaccination requirement issued earlier this summer — for nursing home staff — to other healthcare settings including hospitals, home-health agencies and dialysis centers.

Separately, the Department of Health and Human Services will require vaccinations in Head Start Programs, as well as schools run by the Department of Defense and Bureau of Indian Education, affecting about 300,000 employees.

Biden’s order for executive branch workers and contractors includes exceptions for workers seeking religious or medical exemptions from vaccination, according to press secretary Jen Psaki. Federal workers who don’t comply will be referred to their agencies’ human resources departments for counseling and discipline, to include potential termination.

An AP-NORC poll conducted in August found 55% of Americans in favor of requiring government workers to be fully vaccinated, compared with 21% opposed. Similar majorities also backed vaccine mandates for health care workers, teachers working at K-12 schools and workers who interact with the public, as at restaurants and stores.

Biden has encouraged COVID-19 vaccine requirements in settings like schools, workplaces and university campuses. On Thursday,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-education-los-angeles-coronavirus-pandemic-school-boards-3e6d32b5545965d20128953478ee144d">the Los Angeles Board of Education v</a>&nbsp;oted to require all students 12 and older to be fully vaccinated in the the nation’s second-largest school district.

Walmart, the nation’s largest private employer, said in late July it was requiring that all workers at its headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas, as well as its managers who travel within the U.S. be vaccinated against COVID-19 by Oct. 4. But the company had stopped short of requiring shots for its frontline workers.

CVS Health said in late August it would require certain employees who interact with patients to be fully vaccinated by the end of October. That includes nurses, care managers and pharmacists.

In the government, several federal agencies have previously announced vaccine requirements for much of their staffs, particularly those in healthcare roles like the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Pentagon moved last month to require all servicemembers to get vaccinated. Combined, the White House estimates those requirements cover 2.5 million Americans. Thursday’s order is expected to impact nearly 2 million more federal workers and potentially millions of contractors.

Biden’s measures should help, but what’s really needed is a change in mindset for many people, said Dr. Joshua Sharfstein, vice dean at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore.

“There is an aspect to this now that has to do with our country being so divided,” said Sharfstein. “This has become so politicized that people can’t see the value of a vaccination that can save their lives. Our own divisions are preventing us from ending a pandemic.”

More than 177 million Americans are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, but confirmed cases have shot up in recent weeks to an average of about 140,000 per day with on average about 1,000 deaths, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Most of the spread — and the vast majority of severe illness and death — is occurring among those not yet fully vaccinated. So-called breakthrough infections in vaccinated people occur, but tend to be far less dangerous.

Federal officials are moving ahead with plans to begin administering booster shots of the mRNA vaccines to bolster protection against the more transmissible delta variant. Last month Biden announced plans to make them available beginning on Sept. 20, but only the Pfizer vaccine will likely have received regulatory approval for a third dose by that time.

Officials are aiming to administer the booster shots about eight months after the second dose of the two-dose vaccines.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631238505467.png" alt="<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-health-coronavirus-pandemic-26bace6485d88ad1ae3ef2aea60fbb65">The expansive rules</a>&nbsp;mandate that all employers with more than 100 workers require them to be vaccinated or test for the virus weekly, affecting about 80 million Americans. And the roughly 17 million workers at health facilities that receive federal Medicare or Medicaid also will have to be fully vaccinated-photo courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption><a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-health-coronavirus-pandemic-26bace6485d88ad1ae3ef2aea60fbb65">The expansive rules</a>&nbsp;mandate that all employers with more than 100 workers require them to be vaccinated or test for the virus weekly, affecting about 80 million Americans. And the roughly 17 million workers at health facilities that receive federal Medicare or Medicaid also will have to be fully vaccinated-photo courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — In his most forceful pandemic actions and words, President Joe Biden on Thursday ordered sweeping new federal vaccine requirements for as many as 100 million Americans in an all-out effort to increase COVID-19 vaccinations and curb the surging delta variant.<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?514532-1/president-biden-expresses-frustration-pandemic-politics-mandates-vaccines-federal-workers">Click here to watch</a> a replay of the President's commentsSpeaking at the White House, Biden sharply criticized the tens of millions of Americans who are not yet vaccinated, despite months of availability and incentives.“We’ve been patient. But our patience is wearing thin, and your refusal has cost all of us,” he said, all but biting off his words. The unvaccinated minority “can cause a lot of damage, and they are.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I strongly oppose the Biden administration’s extreme government overreach in requiring vaccinations and urge them to focus on solutions that will empower patients to make educated decisions of their own choosing.&mdash; Senator Jerry Moran (@JerryMoran) <a href="https://twitter.com/JerryMoran/status/1436148803367804929?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 10, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>’ vaccination decree is an all-out assault on private business, our civil liberties, and our entire constitutional system of limited government. This will likely get struck down in the courts - but is a terrifying glimpse of the new Marxist Dem Party.&mdash; Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1436083413509869569?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 9, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Republican leaders — and some union chiefs, too — said Biden was going too far in trying to muscle private companies and workers, a certain sign of legal challenges to come.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">This is dangerous. A president who abandoned hundreds of American civilians to the enemy and has lost the confidence of the public starts threatening executive power grabs <a href="https://t.co/XoK8joEIef">https://t.co/XoK8joEIef</a>&mdash; Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) <a href="https://twitter.com/HawleyMO/status/1436097986522660867?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 9, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Gov. Henry McMaster of South Carolina said in a statement that “Biden and the radical Democrats (have) thumbed their noses at the Constitution,” while American Federation of Government Employees National President Everett Kelley insisted that “changes like this should be negotiated with our bargaining units where appropriate.”On the other hand, there were strong words of praise for Biden’s efforts to get the nation vaccinated from the American Medical Association, the National Association of Manufacturers and the Business Roundtable — though no direct mention of his mandate for private companies.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-health-coronavirus-pandemic-26bace6485d88ad1ae3ef2aea60fbb65">The expansive rules</a>&nbsp;mandate that all employers with more than 100 workers require them to be vaccinated or test for the virus weekly, affecting about 80 million Americans. And the roughly 17 million workers at health facilities that receive federal Medicare or Medicaid also will have to be fully vaccinated.Biden is also requiring vaccination for employees of the executive branch and contractors who do business with the federal government — with no option to test out. That covers several million more workers.Biden announced the new requirements in a Thursday afternoon address from the White House as part of a new “action plan” to address the latest rise in coronavirus cases and the stagnating pace of COVID-19 shots.Just two months ago Biden prematurely declared the nation’s “independence” from the virus. Now, despite more than 208 million Americans having at least one dose of the vaccines, the U.S. is seeing about 300% more new COVID-19 infections a day, about two-and-a-half times more hospitalizations, and nearly twice the number of deaths compared to the same time last year. Some 80 million people remain unvaccinated.“We are in the tough stretch and it could last for a while,” Biden said.After months of using promotions to drive the vaccination rate, Biden is taking a much firmer hand, as he blames people who have not yet received shots for the sharp rise in cases killing more than 1,000 people per day and imperiling a fragile economic rebound.In addition to the vaccination requirements, Biden moved to double federal fines for airline passengers who refuse to wear masks on flights or to maintain face covering requirements on federal property in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.He announced that the government will work to increase the supply of virus tests, and that the White House has secured concessions from retailers including Walmart, Amazon, and Kroger to sell at-home testing kits at cost beginning this week.The administration is also sending additional federal support to assist schools in safely operating, including additional funding for testing. And Biden called for large entertainment venues and arenas to require vaccinations or proof of a negative test for entry.The requirement for large companies to mandate vaccinations or weekly testing for employees will be enacted through a forthcoming rule from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration that carries penalties of $14,000 per violation, an administration official said.The rule will require that large companies provide paid time off for vaccination.Meanwhile, the Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services will extend a vaccination requirement issued earlier this summer — for nursing home staff — to other healthcare settings including hospitals, home-health agencies and dialysis centers.Separately, the Department of Health and Human Services will require vaccinations in Head Start Programs, as well as schools run by the Department of Defense and Bureau of Indian Education, affecting about 300,000 employees.Biden’s order for executive branch workers and contractors includes exceptions for workers seeking religious or medical exemptions from vaccination, according to press secretary Jen Psaki. Federal workers who don’t comply will be referred to their agencies’ human resources departments for counseling and discipline, to include potential termination.An AP-NORC poll conducted in August found 55% of Americans in favor of requiring government workers to be fully vaccinated, compared with 21% opposed. Similar majorities also backed vaccine mandates for health care workers, teachers working at K-12 schools and workers who interact with the public, as at restaurants and stores.Biden has encouraged COVID-19 vaccine requirements in settings like schools, workplaces and university campuses. On Thursday,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-education-los-angeles-coronavirus-pandemic-school-boards-3e6d32b5545965d20128953478ee144d">the Los Angeles Board of Education v</a>&nbsp;oted to require all students 12 and older to be fully vaccinated in the the nation’s second-largest school district.Walmart, the nation’s largest private employer, said in late July it was requiring that all workers at its headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas, as well as its managers who travel within the U.S. be vaccinated against COVID-19 by Oct. 4. But the company had stopped short of requiring shots for its frontline workers.CVS Health said in late August it would require certain employees who interact with patients to be fully vaccinated by the end of October. That includes nurses, care managers and pharmacists.In the government, several federal agencies have previously announced vaccine requirements for much of their staffs, particularly those in healthcare roles like the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Pentagon moved last month to require all servicemembers to get vaccinated. Combined, the White House estimates those requirements cover 2.5 million Americans. Thursday’s order is expected to impact nearly 2 million more federal workers and potentially millions of contractors.Biden’s measures should help, but what’s really needed is a change in mindset for many people, said Dr. Joshua Sharfstein, vice dean at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore.“There is an aspect to this now that has to do with our country being so divided,” said Sharfstein. “This has become so politicized that people can’t see the value of a vaccination that can save their lives. Our own divisions are preventing us from ending a pandemic.”More than 177 million Americans are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, but confirmed cases have shot up in recent weeks to an average of about 140,000 per day with on average about 1,000 deaths, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Most of the spread — and the vast majority of severe illness and death — is occurring among those not yet fully vaccinated. So-called breakthrough infections in vaccinated people occur, but tend to be far less dangerous.Federal officials are moving ahead with plans to begin administering booster shots of the mRNA vaccines to bolster protection against the more transmissible delta variant. Last month Biden announced plans to make them available beginning on Sept. 20, but only the Pfizer vaccine will likely have received regulatory approval for a third dose by that time.Officials are aiming to administer the booster shots about eight months after the second dose of the two-dose vaccines.

Kan. Senators: Biden's new vaccine mandate goes too far

SEDGWICK COUNTY —The search continues for the suspect accused in the Tuesday morning nightclub shooting in Wichita that killed one man and injured five women. Police say 22-year-old&nbsp; Keshawn Dawson is armed and dangerous. He was released from prison in December of 2020 after serving time for weapons violations.

Just after 12:30 a.m. Tuesday, police responded to a shooting call at the Enigma Club, 351 N. Mosley in Wichita.&nbsp; Upon arrival, officers located multiple victims.&nbsp; They were all transported to an area hospital for medical treatment.&nbsp; One victim identified as 34-year-old Preston Spencer of Wichita died from his injuries. The other victims, all women ages, 22, Two age 24, 28 and 40, received non life-threatening injuries, according to Stephens. Most of the injuries were to the legs. One had an injury to an arm and her lower back.&nbsp; All of the women are expected to survive.

The investigation revealed a male suspect identified as Dawson got into a disturbance earlier inside the club and was made to leave.&nbsp; Dawson returned a short time later and fired multiple rounds with a handgun through windows into the club from the outside, striking the victims.

Anyone with information on Dawson is asked to call 911.

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal nightclub shooting in Wichita are asking the public for help to locate a suspect identified as 23-year-old Keshawn Dawson, according to Police Captain Jason Stephens.

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that fatally injured 34-year-old Preston Spencer of Wichita and injured five other woman who sustained non-life-threatening injuries, according to Officer Charley Davidson.

Just after 12:30 a.m. Tuesday, police responded to a shooting call at the Enigma Club, 351 N. Mosley in Wichita.&nbsp; Upon arrival, officers located multiple victims.&nbsp; They were all transported to an area hospital for medical treatment.&nbsp;

The investigation revealed a male suspect got into a disturbance earlier inside the club and was made to leave.&nbsp; The suspect returned a short time later and fired multiple rounds with a handgun through windows into the club from the outside, striking the victims.

Police are expected to release additional details later Tuesday, according to Davidson.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631032156553.png" alt="Dawson photo from an earlier arrest in Sedgwick County. He is currently wanted on two Felony Sedgwick County warrants and is prohibited from having a firearm, according to Captain Jason Stephens." />
 <figcaption>Dawson photo from an earlier arrest in Sedgwick County. He is currently wanted on two Felony Sedgwick County warrants and is prohibited from having a firearm, according to Captain Jason Stephens.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —The search continues for the suspect accused in the Tuesday morning nightclub shooting in Wichita that killed one man and injured five women. Police say 22-year-old&nbsp; Keshawn Dawson is armed and dangerous. He was released from prison in December of 2020 after serving time for weapons violations.Just after 12:30 a.m. Tuesday, police responded to a shooting call at the Enigma Club, 351 N. Mosley in Wichita.&nbsp; Upon arrival, officers located multiple victims.&nbsp; They were all transported to an area hospital for medical treatment.&nbsp; One victim identified as 34-year-old Preston Spencer of Wichita died from his injuries. The other victims, all women ages, 22, Two age 24, 28 and 40, received non life-threatening injuries, according to Stephens. Most of the injuries were to the legs. One had an injury to an arm and her lower back.&nbsp; All of the women are expected to survive.The investigation revealed a male suspect identified as Dawson got into a disturbance earlier inside the club and was made to leave.&nbsp; Dawson returned a short time later and fired multiple rounds with a handgun through windows into the club from the outside, striking the victims.Anyone with information on Dawson is asked to call 911.---------------SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal nightclub shooting in Wichita are asking the public for help to locate a suspect identified as 23-year-old Keshawn Dawson, according to Police Captain Jason Stephens.Just after 12:30 a.m. Tuesday, police responded to a shooting call at the Enigma Club, 351 N. Mosley in Wichita.&nbsp; Upon arrival, officers located multiple victims.&nbsp; They were all transported to an area hospital for medical treatment.&nbsp; One victim identified as 34-year-old Preston Spencer of Wichita died from his injuries. The other victims, all women ages, 22, Two age 24, 28 and 40, received non life-threatening injuries, according to Stephens. Most of the injuries were to the legs. One had an injury to an arm and her lower back.&nbsp; All of the women are expected to survive.The investigation revealed a male suspect identified as Dawson got into a disturbance earlier inside the club and was made to leave.&nbsp; Dawson returned a short time later and fired multiple rounds with a handgun through windows into the club from the outside, striking the victims.Anyone with information on Dawson is asked to call 911.---------------SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that fatally injured 34-year-old Preston Spencer of Wichita and injured five other woman who sustained non-life-threatening injuries, according to Officer Charley Davidson.Just after 12:30 a.m. Tuesday, police responded to a shooting call at the Enigma Club, 351 N. Mosley in Wichita.&nbsp; Upon arrival, officers located multiple victims.&nbsp; They were all transported to an area hospital for medical treatment.&nbsp;The investigation revealed a male suspect got into a disturbance earlier inside the club and was made to leave.&nbsp; The suspect returned a short time later and fired multiple rounds with a handgun through windows into the club from the outside, striking the victims.Police are expected to release additional details later Tuesday, according to Davidson.

Police: Search continues for Kan. club shooting suspect

HUTCHINSON, Kan. —&nbsp;A fire at Kuhn Krause Thursday night was quickly brought under control.

Just before 10p.m. fire crews responded to 305 South Monroe in Hutchinson where they found smoke throughout the building, according to a media release.

A laser CNC machine with an 80 cubic foot dust collector was on fire. Crews used chemical fire extinguishers to keep the fire in check while building power was turned off.

All employees got out safely and the machine was isolated from the rest of the power system and the smoke was ventilated out. No one was hurt. Cause of the fire is still under investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631264677065.jpeg" alt="Photos Courtesy Hutchinson Fire Department" />
 <figcaption>Photos Courtesy Hutchinson Fire Department</figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. —&nbsp;A fire at Kuhn Krause Thursday night was quickly brought under control.Just before 10p.m. fire crews responded to 305 South Monroe in Hutchinson where they found smoke throughout the building, according to a media release.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631264657935.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>A laser CNC machine with an 80 cubic foot dust collector was on fire. Crews used chemical fire extinguishers to keep the fire in check while building power was turned off.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631264630361.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>All employees got out safely and the machine was isolated from the rest of the power system and the smoke was ventilated out. No one was hurt. Cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Building evacuated after fire at Kan. ag manufacturer

U.S. Small Business Administration

WASHINGTON –&nbsp;On Friday,&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDUsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA5MTAuNDU3NDc1NzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5zYmEuZ292Lz91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkifQ.GToNyajdvBEt-iRwElWXwvJiUaMsKw8o-TS7s7JAoj4/s/1045497324/br/112176285071-l" target="_blank">U.S. Small Business Administration</a>&nbsp;(SBA) Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman announced major enhancements to the&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDYsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA5MTAuNDU3NDc1NzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5zYmEuZ292L2Z1bmRpbmctcHJvZ3JhbXMvbG9hbnMvY292aWQtMTktcmVsaWVmLW9wdGlvbnMvZWlkbC9jb3ZpZC0xOS1laWRsP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSJ9.U-TgWZS_O7pEQGk7DFi_2v5k_JTTub_ejHr-bVl4QdU/s/1045497324/br/112176285071-l" target="_blank">COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program</a>, a federal disaster relief loan designed to better serve and support our small business communities still reeling from the pandemic, especially hard-hit sectors such as restaurants, gyms, and hotels. The SBA is ready to receive new applications immediately from small businesses looking to take advantage of these new policy changes.

“The SBA’s COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan program offers a lifeline to millions of small businesses who are still being impacted by the pandemic,”&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDcsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA5MTAuNDU3NDc1NzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5zYmEuZ292L3BlcnNvbi9pc2FiZWxsYS1jYXNpbGxhcy1ndXptYW4_dXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5In0.fDkJAqRdiVWjAbGPQ2qerzOhfPYF7PG7tzCm7XH4whQ/s/1045497324/br/112176285071-l" target="_blank">SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman</a>&nbsp;said. “We’ve retooled this critical program – increasing the borrowing limit to $2 million, offering 24 months of deferment, and expanding flexibility to allow borrowers to pay down higher-interest business debt. We have also ramped up our outreach efforts to ensure we’re connecting with our smallest businesses as well as those from low-income communities who may also be eligible for the companion COVID EIDL Targeted Advance and Supplemental Advance grants totaling up to $15,000. &nbsp;Our mission-driven SBA team has been working around the clock to make the loan review process as user-friendly as possible to ensure every entrepreneur who needs help can get the capital they need to reopen, recover and rebuild.”

Key changes being announced by the SBA include:

The enhancements to the COVID EIDL program will allow more businesses greater and more flexible support from the over $150 billion in available COVID EIDL funds. Additionally, these changes will help entrepreneurs access capital at a time when, according to a recent Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses survey, 44 percent of small business owners report having less than three months of cash reserves, and only 31 percent reporting confidence in gaining access to funding.

Eligible small businesses, nonprofits, and agricultural businesses in all U.S. states and territories can apply. Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDgsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA5MTAuNDU3NDc1NzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3LnNiYS5nb3YvZWlkbD91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkifQ.nyB9AcRtsEaGjYh4Noiq_l2ToMos_Edd5IE_VpFSSZM/s/1045497324/br/112176285071-l" target="_blank">www.sba.gov/eidl</a>&nbsp;to learn more about eligibility and application requirements. The last day that applications may be received is December 31, 2021. All applicants should file their applications as soon as possible.

For additional information on COVID EIDL and other recovery programs please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDksInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA5MTAuNDU3NDc1NzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3LnNiYS5nb3YvcmVsaWVmP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSJ9.KGfzHrlh9LeDmn-VI8lWY3V3dCw1gzr6G--jURhyP4U/s/1045497324/br/112176285071-l" target="_blank">www.sba.gov/relief</a>. Small business owners may call SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard of hearing) or email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov" target="_blank">DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov</a>&nbsp;for additional assistance. The center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST. Multilingual representatives are available. Small business owners may also contact SBA’s Resource Partners by visiting&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA5MTAuNDU3NDc1NzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3LnNiYS5nb3YvbG9jYWwtYXNzaXN0YW5jZT91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkifQ.orfhuJOYmYnTHxMxWI9yK6_Oi0scmhouv8MVv57qk60/s/1045497324/br/112176285071-l" target="_blank">www.sba.gov/local-assistance</a>.

&nbsp;Application Process and Fraud Control Enhancements

In addition to the policy enhancements, the SBA has invested in optimized processes and increased capacity to improve the customer service experience for applicants. Directed by Administrator Guzman to swiftly and drastically enhance COVID EIDL, the revamped management team implemented new processes and performance management such as prioritizing personnel for COVID EIDL and increasing the average number of loan application decisions made. The SBA accelerated daily processing of loan increases from close to 2,000 applications to more than 37,000 applications daily. Loan officer productivity also went from 1.86 applications per day to 15 applications per day.&nbsp;As a result of these increased loan review rates, the 600,000+ loan increase backlog has been cleared and new applications can be processed immediately. At the same time, and to ensure taxpayer dollars are used to support businesses that need COVID EIDL funding most, the SBA has increased fraud controls and is working in collaboration with the SBA Inspector General to closely monitor the program.

All business owners that have received previous loans through the SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF), or Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) can still benefit from COVID EIDL. To learn more about the application process, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA5MTAuNDU3NDc1NzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3LnNiYS5nb3YvZWlkbD91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkifQ.zcBoBqG56vD3GvCFiZh9UW9AtLlTALjsCkOTnOucZag/s/1045497324/br/112176285071-l" target="_blank">www.sba.gov/eidl</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584386106306.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>U.S. Small Business AdministrationWASHINGTON –&nbsp;On Friday,&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDUsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA5MTAuNDU3NDc1NzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5zYmEuZ292Lz91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkifQ.GToNyajdvBEt-iRwElWXwvJiUaMsKw8o-TS7s7JAoj4/s/1045497324/br/112176285071-l" target="_blank">U.S. Small Business Administration</a>&nbsp;(SBA) Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman announced major enhancements to the&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDYsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA5MTAuNDU3NDc1NzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5zYmEuZ292L2Z1bmRpbmctcHJvZ3JhbXMvbG9hbnMvY292aWQtMTktcmVsaWVmLW9wdGlvbnMvZWlkbC9jb3ZpZC0xOS1laWRsP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSJ9.U-TgWZS_O7pEQGk7DFi_2v5k_JTTub_ejHr-bVl4QdU/s/1045497324/br/112176285071-l" target="_blank">COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program</a>, a federal disaster relief loan designed to better serve and support our small business communities still reeling from the pandemic, especially hard-hit sectors such as restaurants, gyms, and hotels. The SBA is ready to receive new applications immediately from small businesses looking to take advantage of these new policy changes.“The SBA’s COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan program offers a lifeline to millions of small businesses who are still being impacted by the pandemic,”&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDcsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA5MTAuNDU3NDc1NzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5zYmEuZ292L3BlcnNvbi9pc2FiZWxsYS1jYXNpbGxhcy1ndXptYW4_dXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5In0.fDkJAqRdiVWjAbGPQ2qerzOhfPYF7PG7tzCm7XH4whQ/s/1045497324/br/112176285071-l" target="_blank">SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman</a>&nbsp;said. “We’ve retooled this critical program – increasing the borrowing limit to $2 million, offering 24 months of deferment, and expanding flexibility to allow borrowers to pay down higher-interest business debt. We have also ramped up our outreach efforts to ensure we’re connecting with our smallest businesses as well as those from low-income communities who may also be eligible for the companion COVID EIDL Targeted Advance and Supplemental Advance grants totaling up to $15,000. &nbsp;Our mission-driven SBA team has been working around the clock to make the loan review process as user-friendly as possible to ensure every entrepreneur who needs help can get the capital they need to reopen, recover and rebuild.”Key changes being announced by the SBA include:<ul>
 <li>Increasing the COVID EIDL Cap.&nbsp;The SBA will lift the COVID EIDL cap from $500,000 to $2 million. Loan funds can be used for any normal operating expenses and working capital, including payroll, purchasing equipment, and paying debt.</li><li>Implementation of a Deferred Payment Period.&nbsp;The SBA will ensure small business owners will not have to begin COVID EIDL repayment until two years after loan origination so that they can get through the pandemic without having to worry about making ends meet.</li><li>Establishment of a 30-Day Exclusivity Window. To ensure Main Street businesses have additional time to access these funds, the SBA will implement a 30-day exclusivity window of approving and disbursing funds for loans of $500,000 or less. Approval and disbursement of loans over $500,000 will begin after the 30-day period.</li><li>Expansion of Eligible Use of Funds.&nbsp;COVID EIDL funds will now be eligible to prepay commercial debt and make payments on federal business debt.</li><li>Simplification of affiliation requirements.&nbsp;To ease the COVID EIDL application process for small businesses, the SBA has established more simplified affiliation requirements to model those of the Restaurant Revitalization Fund.</li>
 </ul>The enhancements to the COVID EIDL program will allow more businesses greater and more flexible support from the over $150 billion in available COVID EIDL funds. Additionally, these changes will help entrepreneurs access capital at a time when, according to a recent Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses survey, 44 percent of small business owners report having less than three months of cash reserves, and only 31 percent reporting confidence in gaining access to funding.<h2>How to apply</h2>Eligible small businesses, nonprofits, and agricultural businesses in all U.S. states and territories can apply. Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDgsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA5MTAuNDU3NDc1NzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3LnNiYS5nb3YvZWlkbD91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkifQ.nyB9AcRtsEaGjYh4Noiq_l2ToMos_Edd5IE_VpFSSZM/s/1045497324/br/112176285071-l" target="_blank">www.sba.gov/eidl</a>&nbsp;to learn more about eligibility and application requirements. The last day that applications may be received is December 31, 2021. All applicants should file their applications as soon as possible.For additional information on COVID EIDL and other recovery programs please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDksInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA5MTAuNDU3NDc1NzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3LnNiYS5nb3YvcmVsaWVmP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSJ9.KGfzHrlh9LeDmn-VI8lWY3V3dCw1gzr6G--jURhyP4U/s/1045497324/br/112176285071-l" target="_blank">www.sba.gov/relief</a>. Small business owners may call SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard of hearing) or email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov" target="_blank">DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov</a>&nbsp;for additional assistance. The center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST. Multilingual representatives are available. Small business owners may also contact SBA’s Resource Partners by visiting&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA5MTAuNDU3NDc1NzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3LnNiYS5nb3YvbG9jYWwtYXNzaXN0YW5jZT91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkifQ.orfhuJOYmYnTHxMxWI9yK6_Oi0scmhouv8MVv57qk60/s/1045497324/br/112176285071-l" target="_blank">www.sba.gov/local-assistance</a>.<h2>&nbsp;Application Process and Fraud Control Enhancements</h2>In addition to the policy enhancements, the SBA has invested in optimized processes and increased capacity to improve the customer service experience for applicants. Directed by Administrator Guzman to swiftly and drastically enhance COVID EIDL, the revamped management team implemented new processes and performance management such as prioritizing personnel for COVID EIDL and increasing the average number of loan application decisions made. The SBA accelerated daily processing of loan increases from close to 2,000 applications to more than 37,000 applications daily. Loan officer productivity also went from 1.86 applications per day to 15 applications per day.&nbsp;As a result of these increased loan review rates, the 600,000+ loan increase backlog has been cleared and new applications can be processed immediately. At the same time, and to ensure taxpayer dollars are used to support businesses that need COVID EIDL funding most, the SBA has increased fraud controls and is working in collaboration with the SBA Inspector General to closely monitor the program.All business owners that have received previous loans through the SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF), or Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) can still benefit from COVID EIDL. To learn more about the application process, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA5MTAuNDU3NDc1NzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3LnNiYS5nb3YvZWlkbD91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkifQ.zcBoBqG56vD3GvCFiZh9UW9AtLlTALjsCkOTnOucZag/s/1045497324/br/112176285071-l" target="_blank">www.sba.gov/eidl</a>.

SBA enhances COVID loan program for hard-hit business sectors

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — The Wyandotte County District Attorney has decided not to retry a Catholic priest who was charged with molesting a young girl.

Rev. Scott Kallal was charged with two counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child after a mother reported in July 2017 that he had inappropriately touched her 11-year-old daughter at St. Patrick Catholic School in Kansas City, Kansas.

A Wyandotte County jury&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/29294f89e92648968c550df192d3bf47">could not reach a verdict</a>&nbsp;after a trial in September 2019. Prosecutors said at the time they intended to retry Kallal.

The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas said in a statement Wednesday that the district attorney had decided to dismiss charges against Kallal.

The diocese said Kallal will remain on a leave of absence while a review board investigates the case. Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann will ultimately decide Kallal’s future.

A spokesperson for the Wyandotte County District Attorney’s office said attorneys consulted with the child’s family and decided it was not in her best interest to try the case a second time, KSHB-TV reported.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631205807297.png" alt="Kallal photo Wyandotte County" />
 <figcaption>Kallal photo Wyandotte County</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — The Wyandotte County District Attorney has decided not to retry a Catholic priest who was charged with molesting a young girl.Rev. Scott Kallal was charged with two counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child after a mother reported in July 2017 that he had inappropriately touched her 11-year-old daughter at St. Patrick Catholic School in Kansas City, Kansas.A Wyandotte County jury&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/29294f89e92648968c550df192d3bf47">could not reach a verdict</a>&nbsp;after a trial in September 2019. Prosecutors said at the time they intended to retry Kallal.The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas said in a statement Wednesday that the district attorney had decided to dismiss charges against Kallal.The diocese said Kallal will remain on a leave of absence while a review board investigates the case. Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann will ultimately decide Kallal’s future.A spokesperson for the Wyandotte County District Attorney’s office said attorneys consulted with the child’s family and decided it was not in her best interest to try the case a second time, KSHB-TV reported.

Charges dropped against priest accused of molesting girl

WICHITA, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Wichita indicted a former member of the Kansas legislature on charges he defrauded federal, state, and local agencies of more than $450,000 in COVID-19 business recovery funds, according to the United State's Attorney's office.

According to court documents, Michael Capps, 43, of Wichita is the owner and/or majority owner of Midwest Business Groups, LLC and Krivacy, LLC. Court documents also indicate he is a member of the Fourth and Long Foundation. Capps is accused of submitting false and fraudulent documents on behalf of the companies to the Small Business Administration (SBA) for Economic Injury

Disaster Loans (EIDL), as well as to the Kansas Department of Commerce for Small Business Working Capital grants, and to Sedgwick County for a Sedgwick County Cares grant.

Capps also allegedly sent false and fraudulent documents to Emprise Bank to receive a Payroll Protection Program (PPP) loan.

The indictment filed against Capps charges him with one count of making false statement to a bank for a PPP loan, one count of bank fraud in connection with a PPP loan, three counts of false statement to the SBA for EIDL loans, three counts of wire fraud in connection with EIDL loans from the SBA, two counts of wire fraud in connection with grants from the Kansas Department of Commerce, one count of wire fraud in connection with a grant from Sedgwick County, and eight counts of money laundering.

The investigating agencies are the FBI and investigators from the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1581011016098.png" alt="Michael Capps served in the Kansas House representing the 85th district from 2018-2020" />
 <figcaption>Michael Capps served in the Kansas House representing the 85th district from 2018-2020</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Wichita indicted a former member of the Kansas legislature on charges he defrauded federal, state, and local agencies of more than $450,000 in COVID-19 business recovery funds, according to the United State's Attorney's office.According to court documents, Michael Capps, 43, of Wichita is the owner and/or majority owner of Midwest Business Groups, LLC and Krivacy, LLC. Court documents also indicate he is a member of the Fourth and Long Foundation. Capps is accused of submitting false and fraudulent documents on behalf of the companies to the Small Business Administration (SBA) for Economic InjuryDisaster Loans (EIDL), as well as to the Kansas Department of Commerce for Small Business Working Capital grants, and to Sedgwick County for a Sedgwick County Cares grant.Capps also allegedly sent false and fraudulent documents to Emprise Bank to receive a Payroll Protection Program (PPP) loan.The indictment filed against Capps charges him with one count of making false statement to a bank for a PPP loan, one count of bank fraud in connection with a PPP loan, three counts of false statement to the SBA for EIDL loans, three counts of wire fraud in connection with EIDL loans from the SBA, two counts of wire fraud in connection with grants from the Kansas Department of Commerce, one count of wire fraud in connection with a grant from Sedgwick County, and eight counts of money laundering.The investigating agencies are the FBI and investigators from the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office.

Former Kan. legislator charged in $450K COVID fund fraud

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating the death of a woman and asking the public for help to locate a suspect.

Just after 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, police were flagged down reference a possible deceased person located in the 3400 block of SW Briarwood Street in Topeka, according to Lt. Kelvin Johnson. Officers were able to locate the body of a woman identified as Jennifer A. Morris, 25 of Topeka.

Police have identified Jesse B. Lees, 33, of Topeka as a suspect in this case. He has ties to Kansas and Missouri, according to police. Anyone with information on Lees is asked to call 911.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631200305370.png" alt="Lees photo Topeka Police" />
 <figcaption>Lees photo Topeka Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating the death of a woman and asking the public for help to locate a suspect.Just after 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, police were flagged down reference a possible deceased person located in the 3400 block of SW Briarwood Street in Topeka, according to Lt. Kelvin Johnson. Officers were able to locate the body of a woman identified as Jennifer A. Morris, 25 of Topeka.Police have identified Jesse B. Lees, 33, of Topeka as a suspect in this case. He has ties to Kansas and Missouri, according to police. Anyone with information on Lees is asked to call 911.

Police search for suspect in Kan. woman's killing

HERINGTON, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Bureau of Investigation says the police chief and an assistant chief in Herington have been accused of trespassing. 

The KBI announced Wednesday that Chief John Matula and assistant Chief Curtis Tyra have been issued summons to appear in Dickinson County District Court. Both men are charged with criminal trespass. Matula is also charged with criminal damage to property. 

The charges are misdemeanors. The KBI says the two men are accused of forcing their way into a home on May 18 without a search warrant. James Brun, an attorney from Overland Park, has been appointed special prosecutor in the case. Matula announced his resignation on Thursday.

DICKINSON COUNTY&nbsp;-&nbsp;Today, the Police Chief and Assistant Police Chief of the Herington Police Department were served summonses following an investigation by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), according to a media release from the agancy.

On Wednesday, Sept. 8, John V. Matula, 36, the Herington Police Chief, was ordered to appear in Dickinson County District Court for alleged criminal damage to property and criminal trespass.

Also ordered to appear in Dickinson County District Court was Curtis M. Tyra, 43, the Herington Assistant Chief, for alleged criminal trespass.

The suspected crimes are misdemeanors, and are believed to have occurred on May 18, 2021 related to Matula and Tyra forcing entry into a residence without a search warrant.

HERINGTON, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Bureau of Investigation says the police chief and an assistant chief in Herington have been accused of trespassing. The KBI announced Wednesday that Chief John Matula and assistant Chief Curtis Tyra have been issued summons to appear in Dickinson County District Court. Both men are charged with criminal trespass. Matula is also charged with criminal damage to property. The charges are misdemeanors. The KBI says the two men are accused of forcing their way into a home on May 18 without a search warrant. James Brun, an attorney from Overland Park, has been appointed special prosecutor in the case. Matula announced his resignation on Thursday.-----------DICKINSON COUNTY&nbsp;-&nbsp;Today, the Police Chief and Assistant Police Chief of the Herington Police Department were served summonses following an investigation by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), according to a media release from the agancy.On Wednesday, Sept. 8, John V. Matula, 36, the Herington Police Chief, was ordered to appear in Dickinson County District Court for alleged criminal damage to property and criminal trespass.Also ordered to appear in Dickinson County District Court was Curtis M. Tyra, 43, the Herington Assistant Chief, for alleged criminal trespass.The suspected crimes are misdemeanors, and are believed to have occurred on May 18, 2021 related to Matula and Tyra forcing entry into a residence without a search warrant.

Kan. police chief resigns amidst KBI investigation

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?514532-1/president-biden-outlines-plan-combat-delta-variant">Click here to watch</a>&nbsp;a replay of the President's comments&nbsp;

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has announced sweeping new federal vaccine requirements affecting as many as 100 million Americans in an all-out effort to increase COVID-19 vaccinations and curb the surging delta variant. 

The government's expansive new rules, announced Thursday, mandate that all employers with more than 100 workers require them to be vaccinated or test for the virus weekly, affecting about 80 million Americans. 

Biden is also signing an executive order requiring vaccination for all employees of the executive branch and contractors who do business with the federal government. No testing opt-out is expected to be included for the executive branch requirement.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is announcing sweeping new federal vaccine requirements affecting as many as 100 million Americans in an all-out effort to increase COVID-19 vaccinations and curb the surging delta variant that is killing thousands each week and jeopardizing the nation’s economic recovery.

The expansive rules mandate that all employers with more than 100 workers require them to be vaccinated or test for the virus weekly, affecting about 80 million Americans. And the roughly 17 million workers at health facilities that receive federal Medicare or Medicaid also will have to be fully vaccinated.

Biden is also signing an executive order to require vaccination for employees of the executive branch and contractors who do business with the federal government — with no option to test out. That covers several million more workers.

Biden was to announce the new requirements in a Thursday afternoon address from the White House as part of a new “action plan” to address the latest rise in coronavirus cases and the stagnating pace of COVID-19 shots that has raised doubts among the public over his handling of the pandemic.

Just two months ago Biden prematurely declared the nation’s “independence” from the virus. Now, despite more than 208 million Americans having at least one dose of the vaccines, the U.S. is seeing about 300% more new COVID-19 infections a day, about two-and-a-half times more hospitalizations, and nearly twice the number of deaths compared to the same time last year.

Biden’s plans were previewed Thursday afternoon by White House press secretary Jen Psaki and other senior administration officials ahead of the speech.

After months of using promotions to drive the vaccination rate, Biden is taking a much firmer hand, as his aides blame people who have not yet received shots for the sharp rise in cases that is killing more than 1,000 people per day and imperiling a fragile economic rebound.

Psaki said Biden’s “overarching objective here is to reduce the number of unvaccinated Americans,” noting about 80 million adults remain unvaccinated.

An AP-NORC poll conducted in August found that 54% of Americans approved of Biden’s stewardship of the public health crisis, down from 66% the month before, driven by a drop in support from Republicans and political independents.

In addition to the vaccination requirements, Biden is moving to double federal fines for airline passengers who refuse to wear masks on flights or to maintain face covering requirements on federal property in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.

Biden was also to announce that the federal government will work to increase the supply of virus tests, and that the White House has secured concessions from retailers including Walmart, Amazon, and Kroger to sell at-home testing kits at cost beginning this week.

The administration is also to send additional federal support to assist schools in safely operating, including additional funding for testing. And Biden will call for large entertainment venues and arenas to require vaccinations or proof of a negative test for entry.

The requirement for large companies to mandate vaccinations or weekly testing for employees will be enacted through a forthcoming rule from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration that carries penalties of $14,000 per violation, an administration official said. The White House did not immediately say when it would take effect, but said workers would have sufficient time to get vaccinated.

The rule would also require that large companies provide paid time off for vaccination.

Biden’s order for executive branch workers and contractors includes exceptions for workers seeking religious or medical exemptions from vaccination, according to Psaki. Federal workers and contractors will have 75 days to get fully vaccinated. Workers who don’t comply will be referred to their agencies’ human resources departments for counseling and discipline, to include potential termination.

“We would like to be a model” to other organizations and business around country, Psaki said of the federal workforce. The AP-NORC poll found 55% of Americans in favor of requiring government workers to be fully vaccinated, compared with 21% opposed.

Biden has encouraged COVID-19 vaccine requirements in settings like schools, workplaces and university campuses, and the White House hopes the strengthened federal mandate will inspire more businesses to follow suit. On Thursday, the Los Angeles Board of Education was expected to vote on requiring all students 12 and older to be fully vaccinated in the the nation’s second-largest school district.

The Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Health and Human Services, the Indian Health Service, and the National Institutes of Health have previously announced vaccine requirements for much of their staffs, and the Pentagon moved last month to require all servicemembers to get vaccinated. Combined, the White House estimates those requirements cover 2.5 million Americans. Thursday’s order is expected to impact nearly 2 million more federal workers and potentially millions of contractors.

More than 177 million are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, but confirmed cases of the virus have shot up in recent weeks to an average of about 140,000 per day with on average about 1,000 Americans dying from the virus daily, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Most of the spread — and the vast majority of severe illness and death — is occurring among those not yet fully vaccinated against the virus. So-called breakthrough infections in vaccinated people occur, but tend to be far less dangerous.

“We cannot accept this to be the new normal,” said Dr. Leana Wen, a former Baltimore health commissioner who comments regularly on the pandemic.. If the pandemic continues unabated, it will mean 500,000 deaths a year. “Surely no one wants that.”

Wen has been urging the White House to take a stronger line on vaccine requirements, including the use of so-called vaccine “passports” for travel and workplace mandates that leave little wiggle room.

“I want to see the full power of the federal government here, and not more half measures,” she said. “I want to see a hard reset from the Biden administration, not more nibbling around the edges.”

Federal officials are moving ahead with plans to begin administering booster shots of the mRNA vaccines to bolster protection against the more transmissible delta variant of the virus. Last month Biden announced plans to make them available beginning on Sept. 20, but only the Pfizer vaccine will likely have received regulatory approval for a third dose by that time. Federal regulators are seeking additional data from Moderna that will likely delay its booster approval until October.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631222423974.png" alt="The expansive rules mandate that all employers with more than 100 workers require them to be vaccinated or test for the virus weekly, affecting about 80 million Americans." />
 <figcaption>The expansive rules mandate that all employers with more than 100 workers require them to be vaccinated or test for the virus weekly, affecting about 80 million Americans.</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?514532-1/president-biden-outlines-plan-combat-delta-variant">Click here to watch</a>&nbsp;a replay of the President's comments&nbsp;WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has announced sweeping new federal vaccine requirements affecting as many as 100 million Americans in an all-out effort to increase COVID-19 vaccinations and curb the surging delta variant. The government's expansive new rules, announced Thursday, mandate that all employers with more than 100 workers require them to be vaccinated or test for the virus weekly, affecting about 80 million Americans. Biden is also signing an executive order requiring vaccination for all employees of the executive branch and contractors who do business with the federal government. No testing opt-out is expected to be included for the executive branch requirement.WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is announcing sweeping new federal vaccine requirements affecting as many as 100 million Americans in an all-out effort to increase COVID-19 vaccinations and curb the surging delta variant that is killing thousands each week and jeopardizing the nation’s economic recovery.The expansive rules mandate that all employers with more than 100 workers require them to be vaccinated or test for the virus weekly, affecting about 80 million Americans. And the roughly 17 million workers at health facilities that receive federal Medicare or Medicaid also will have to be fully vaccinated.Biden is also signing an executive order to require vaccination for employees of the executive branch and contractors who do business with the federal government — with no option to test out. That covers several million more workers.Biden was to announce the new requirements in a Thursday afternoon address from the White House as part of a new “action plan” to address the latest rise in coronavirus cases and the stagnating pace of COVID-19 shots that has raised doubts among the public over his handling of the pandemic.Just two months ago Biden prematurely declared the nation’s “independence” from the virus. Now, despite more than 208 million Americans having at least one dose of the vaccines, the U.S. is seeing about 300% more new COVID-19 infections a day, about two-and-a-half times more hospitalizations, and nearly twice the number of deaths compared to the same time last year.Biden’s plans were previewed Thursday afternoon by White House press secretary Jen Psaki and other senior administration officials ahead of the speech.After months of using promotions to drive the vaccination rate, Biden is taking a much firmer hand, as his aides blame people who have not yet received shots for the sharp rise in cases that is killing more than 1,000 people per day and imperiling a fragile economic rebound.Psaki said Biden’s “overarching objective here is to reduce the number of unvaccinated Americans,” noting about 80 million adults remain unvaccinated.An AP-NORC poll conducted in August found that 54% of Americans approved of Biden’s stewardship of the public health crisis, down from 66% the month before, driven by a drop in support from Republicans and political independents.In addition to the vaccination requirements, Biden is moving to double federal fines for airline passengers who refuse to wear masks on flights or to maintain face covering requirements on federal property in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.Biden was also to announce that the federal government will work to increase the supply of virus tests, and that the White House has secured concessions from retailers including Walmart, Amazon, and Kroger to sell at-home testing kits at cost beginning this week.The administration is also to send additional federal support to assist schools in safely operating, including additional funding for testing. And Biden will call for large entertainment venues and arenas to require vaccinations or proof of a negative test for entry.The requirement for large companies to mandate vaccinations or weekly testing for employees will be enacted through a forthcoming rule from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration that carries penalties of $14,000 per violation, an administration official said. The White House did not immediately say when it would take effect, but said workers would have sufficient time to get vaccinated.The rule would also require that large companies provide paid time off for vaccination.Meanwhile, the Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services will extend a vaccination requirement issued earlier this summer — for nursing home staff — to other healthcare settings including hospitals, home-health agencies and dialysis centers.Separately, the Department of Health and Human Services will require vaccinations in Head Start Programs, as well as schools run by the Department of Defense and Bureau of Indian Education, affecting about 300,000 employees.Biden’s order for executive branch workers and contractors includes exceptions for workers seeking religious or medical exemptions from vaccination, according to Psaki. Federal workers and contractors will have 75 days to get fully vaccinated. Workers who don’t comply will be referred to their agencies’ human resources departments for counseling and discipline, to include potential termination.“We would like to be a model” to other organizations and business around country, Psaki said of the federal workforce. The AP-NORC poll found 55% of Americans in favor of requiring government workers to be fully vaccinated, compared with 21% opposed.Biden has encouraged COVID-19 vaccine requirements in settings like schools, workplaces and university campuses, and the White House hopes the strengthened federal mandate will inspire more businesses to follow suit. On Thursday, the Los Angeles Board of Education was expected to vote on requiring all students 12 and older to be fully vaccinated in the the nation’s second-largest school district.The Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Health and Human Services, the Indian Health Service, and the National Institutes of Health have previously announced vaccine requirements for much of their staffs, and the Pentagon moved last month to require all servicemembers to get vaccinated. Combined, the White House estimates those requirements cover 2.5 million Americans. Thursday’s order is expected to impact nearly 2 million more federal workers and potentially millions of contractors.More than 177 million are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, but confirmed cases of the virus have shot up in recent weeks to an average of about 140,000 per day with on average about 1,000 Americans dying from the virus daily, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Most of the spread — and the vast majority of severe illness and death — is occurring among those not yet fully vaccinated against the virus. So-called breakthrough infections in vaccinated people occur, but tend to be far less dangerous.“We cannot accept this to be the new normal,” said Dr. Leana Wen, a former Baltimore health commissioner who comments regularly on the pandemic.. If the pandemic continues unabated, it will mean 500,000 deaths a year. “Surely no one wants that.”Wen has been urging the White House to take a stronger line on vaccine requirements, including the use of so-called vaccine “passports” for travel and workplace mandates that leave little wiggle room.“I want to see the full power of the federal government here, and not more half measures,” she said. “I want to see a hard reset from the Biden administration, not more nibbling around the edges.”Federal officials are moving ahead with plans to begin administering booster shots of the mRNA vaccines to bolster protection against the more transmissible delta variant of the virus. Last month Biden announced plans to make them available beginning on Sept. 20, but only the Pfizer vaccine will likely have received regulatory approval for a third dose by that time. Federal regulators are seeking additional data from Moderna that will likely delay its booster approval until October.Officials are aiming to administer the booster shots about eight months after the second dose of the two-dose vaccines.

🎥 Pres. Biden issues new vaccine rules for 100M Americans

DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal shooting in Lawrence have identified the victim as 21-year-old Christian Willis of Wichita.

Just before 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, officers responded to the 1500 block of Kentucky Street in Lawrence in response to a possible shooting, according to police spokesperson Patrick Compton.

At the scene officers located a victim later identified as Willis who was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Police have made no arrests or identified a suspect.

DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal shooting in Lawrence have identified the victim as 21-year-old Christian Willis of Wichita.Just before 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, officers responded to the 1500 block of Kentucky Street in Lawrence in response to a possible shooting, according to police spokesperson Patrick Compton.At the scene officers located a victim later identified as Willis who was pronounced deceased at the scene.Police have made no arrests or identified a suspect.

Police ID 21-year-old who died in Kansas shooting

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A top Kansas Department of Labor official isn’t disputing a legislative audit’s finding that hiring hundreds of workers during the coronavirus pandemic didn’t appear to result in the agency answering more calls from unemployed workers seeking benefits.

But Deputy Labor Secretary Peter Brady said Wednesday that calls to the department became more complicated and more time-consuming as the federal government created six programs to help workers after COVID-19 restrictions on businesses in the spring of 2020 caused unemployment to surge.

Brady made his comments during a meeting of a council overseeing a modernization of the department’s unemployment computer system. He also said some of the 500 workers hired by the department sometimes were diverted to resolving problems with individual claims so that people would get benefits.

Legislative auditors released&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslpa.org/audit-report-library/evaluating-the-kansas-department-of-labors-response-to-covid-19-unemployment-claims-part-2/" target="_blank">their report</a>&nbsp;last week, prompting criticism of Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s administration from Republican lawmakers.

Meanwhile, the state still is trying to pin down the cost of fraudulent unemployment claims.

The legislative audit estimated that the state could have paid roughly $700 million in fraudulent claims during 2020 and the first two months of 2021. The Department of Labor believes the best estimate for now is less than $400 million.

“We’re not really working with precise numbering here,” said state Rep. Stephanie Clayton, an Overland Park Democrat.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A top Kansas Department of Labor official isn’t disputing a legislative audit’s finding that hiring hundreds of workers during the coronavirus pandemic didn’t appear to result in the agency answering more calls from unemployed workers seeking benefits.But Deputy Labor Secretary Peter Brady said Wednesday that calls to the department became more complicated and more time-consuming as the federal government created six programs to help workers after COVID-19 restrictions on businesses in the spring of 2020 caused unemployment to surge.Brady made his comments during a meeting of a council overseeing a modernization of the department’s unemployment computer system. He also said some of the 500 workers hired by the department sometimes were diverted to resolving problems with individual claims so that people would get benefits.Legislative auditors released&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslpa.org/audit-report-library/evaluating-the-kansas-department-of-labors-response-to-covid-19-unemployment-claims-part-2/" target="_blank">their report</a>&nbsp;last week, prompting criticism of Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s administration from Republican lawmakers.Meanwhile, the state still is trying to pin down the cost of fraudulent unemployment claims.The legislative audit estimated that the state could have paid roughly $700 million in fraudulent claims during 2020 and the first two months of 2021. The Department of Labor believes the best estimate for now is less than $400 million.“We’re not really working with precise numbering here,” said state Rep. Stephanie Clayton, an Overland Park Democrat.

Kan. official: Unemployment claims grew more complicated

LYON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a robbery and sex assault involving an armed suspect.

On Sept. 4, police responded to a home in the western part of Emporia where investigators learned a woman in her 20s was home alone with her toddler, according to a media release.

A man she knew entered the residence, threatened her and the child with a gun and raped her, according to police.

Investigators developed the identity of a suspect and on Tuesday arrested 24-year-old Victor Joel Cardona on requested charges of aggravated burglary, rape, aggravated criminal sodomy and criminal threat.&nbsp; Police released no additional details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631137623223.png" alt="Cardona-photo Lyon Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Cardona-photo Lyon Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>LYON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a robbery and sex assault involving an armed suspect.On Sept. 4, police responded to a home in the western part of Emporia where investigators learned a woman in her 20s was home alone with her toddler, according to a media release.A man she knew entered the residence, threatened her and the child with a gun and raped her, according to police.Investigators developed the identity of a suspect and on Tuesday arrested 24-year-old Victor Joel Cardona on requested charges of aggravated burglary, rape, aggravated criminal sodomy and criminal threat.&nbsp; Police released no additional details.

Police: Kan. woman home alone with toddler attacked

FINNEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating an accident that damaged two vehicles and a school building.

FINNEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating an accident that damaged two vehicles and a school building.Just before 4p.m. Tuesday, police responded to Gertrude Walker School, 805 Fair Street, in Garden City, according to a media release from police.At the scene, investigators learned a woman had parked her Town and Country van on 10th Street directly south of West Fair Street and left it unattended with two children inside. The children were restrained in safety seats.While the woman walked over to pick up her other children from school, a 3-year-old got out of the safety seat, put the van in drive and pushed the accelerator.&nbsp;The Chrysler van traveled north, struck a parked Honda Civic and pushed it up on the sidewalk and onto the grass. The van continued north and struck the southeast corner of the school building. Damage to the school is estimated at $5000. Both vehicles were towed from the scene. Police reported no injuries.